John A. Mason

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[John A. Mason, age 82, of Pinckneyville, Ill., passed away peacefully after a long battle with heart surgery on Monday, July 11, 2011 at 10:01 p.m. in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill.

John was born on Sept. 27, 1928 in Swanwick, Ill., a son to Robert and Elivira (Sturdivant) Mason. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving from January 1951 through February 1953. On Sept. 30, 1950, he married Sharon Carson from Pinckneyville, Ill. and she survives. Together they had three children. John worked for the Operating Engineers and then the coal mines for 24 years. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Pinckneyville, Ill. and was an avid Panther fan. He especially loved basketball and softball and rarely missed a game.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of nearly 61 years, Sharon Mason of Pinckneyville, Ill.; two sons, Mike (Debbie) Mason of Swanwick, Ill. and Matt (Andrea) of Red Bud, Ill.; five grandchildren, Joe (Allison) Mason of Alto Pass, Ill., Andrew (Emily) Mason of Cobden, Ill., Lacy Mason of Swanwick, Ill. and Brooke and Lane Mason of Red Bud, Ill., four step-grandchildren, Kandi (James) Starkweather of Herrin, Ill., Brandi (Jason) Karnes of Herrin, Ill., Dusty (Donald) Palmer of Willisville, Ill. and Ashley Newton of Cape Girardeau, Mo. several great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debbie Mason; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clede and Mary Carson; four sisters and two brothers.

Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Brother Tim Bauersachs officiating. Interment was in Bethel Cemetery, Swanwick, Ill. Military graveside rites were by Presswood-Daffron American Legion Post #2504.

Friends called at the First Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, Ill. on Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Panther Booster Club.

I can't forget his very, very special friends whom he loved dearly, from the coffee shop and the boys at the Coon Club. You my dear friends, shall never, ever be forgotten. I will keep those memories forever in my heart!

Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, Ill. was in charge of arrangements. For more information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.pyattfuneralhome.com.